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Google Maps, Gmail & YouTube will be blocked on MILLIONS of phones within days

GOOGLE is just days away from shutting down access to some of its most popular services on older smartphones.

The search giant has confirmed that a handful of Android devices will lose access to Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail from September 27.

Unless they update their phones or swiftly buy a new mobile, millions of people across the globe will be locked out of the software.

Google announced the deadline in a short post on its website.

The tech titan said it plans to block users from signing in with their Google Account on devices using Android 2.3.

The ageing version of Google’s operating system launched in December 2010.

Google said it’s withdrawing support for the platform “as part of our going efforts to keep our users safe”.

The California search giant regularly drops support for ageing versions of the Android software as it releases new ones.

That’s because older versions of operating systems are far more vulnerable to bugs and hackers.

The latest version of Android is Android 11, so 2.3 is miles behind the software running on most Android smartphones today.

In February 2017, Google suspended Google Pay contactless payments from working on handsets running Android 2.3.

Later this month, anyone using a device running the software will find that they’re unable to log in to their Google account.

They’ll receive a username and password error, even if they’ve plugged in the correct credentials.

Trying to add a Google Calendar or Gmail account to the settings menu of the device will result in the same error.

Other popular Google apps will also stop working, including YouTube, Google Play Store, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar, and more.

To continue using these apps, you’ll need to upgrade your smartphone to Android 3.0.

You can do that by heading to your device settings and tapping System > Advanced > System Update.

However, since not all devices running Android 2.3 are able to make the jump to the next version, some users will be locked out for good.

Smartphones that remain stuck with Android 2.3 include Sony Xperia Advance, Lenovo K800, Sony Xperia Go, Vodafone Smart II, Samsung Galaxy S2, Sony Xperia P, LG Spectrum, Sony Xperia S, LG Prada 3.0, HTC Velocity, HTC Evo 4G, Motorola Fire, and Motorola XT532.

If you’re unable to upgrade your device, you can always work around the issue by logging into services like YouTube via your browser.

webcare-global-solution-internet-restrictions

Internet restrictions are curbing Africa’s economic growth.

A report according to Internet society, Africa needs to increase Internet access to boost its economy, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates have found that while locally routed online traffic in Africa is on the rise, only one in five Africans has access to the Internet. High taxes and frequent internet shutdowns by some African governments have also discouraged online trading.

The Internet Society Group said in this month’s report that Africa’s Internet exchange points (IXPs) have increased from 19 to 46 in less than eight years. There are multiple IXPs in 6 countries.

The IXP is where multiple networks and service providers exchange Internet traffic. This increase is significant, as most African countries routed online traffic off the continent 10 years ago.

Dawit Bekele is Vice President of Africa for the Internet Society, a global non-profit organization that promotes the development and use of the Internet. He said Africa’s own IXP will improve Internet performance for users on the continent.

“By developing an internet exchange point within Africa, we can limit the movement of this kind of unwanted internet traffic out of Africa and return to Africa, which is speed, connectivity, and even cost. There are significant benefits to improving the user experience, such as connectivity. “He said.

The Washington-based group states that its goal is ultimately to exchange 80% of Africa’s Internet traffic locally.
“We cannot escape from the youth population. With so many young people, their affinity or willingness to use technology and the Internet is much higher than our parents, and they are above all else. You can also use the technology more comfortably. Finally, another aspect that I think is very important is that access to mobile technology devices is a big driving force. Compared to our market. There are quite a few cheap smart or internet-enabled phones that have a huge impact on how many people can do it. Access the internet. “

In a 2020 study, the International Foundation Corporation said the use of the Internet could add $ 180 billion to the African economy.
However, some governments are taking steps to control digital communications by shutting down social media platforms and imposing high taxes on Internet use.

The Economic Commission for Africa states that only 20 percent of the continent’s population has access to the Internet.

The Internet Society Group is calling on the Government of nations of Africa to extend its Internet infrastructure to rural areas where most of its population lives and to benefit from it.

webcare-global-solution-windows-ubuntu

Key Differences in Ubuntu And Windows

What is Ubuntu vs Windows 10? They both are the operating system. The operating system is the software package that manages the hardware and software instructions and controls the computer.

What is Ubuntu?

 

Ubuntu is open-source software that was developed by Canonical in October 2004. It is a very reliable operating system. Its latest release is Ubuntu 18.10. Basically, it comes with three official editions: Ubuntu Desktop – for the personal computer, Ubuntu Server – for making the servers and Ubuntu Core for the IoT and Robots. Some key features of Ubuntu are given below:

  • It’s an open-source operating system.
  • Ubuntu has a better User Interface.
  • Security point of view, Ubuntu is very safe because of its less useful.
  • Font family in Ubuntu is very much better in comparison to windows.
  • It has a centralized software Repository from where we can download them all required software from that.
  • Unix Environment is the best for the programmer.
  • Command Line interface – It has both a command-line interface as well as the GUI interface.
  • Cost- It’s open-source, which is free of cost.

What is Windows 10?

 

Windows 10 is an operating system series that Microsoft develops. It was released in July 2015. It was launch to target personal computing. The key features of Window 10 are given below:

  • Windows 10 is the latest and the best update of the Windows series.
  • It is the best Operating system for gamers.
  • The UI interface of Windows 10 is very good.
  • Windows10 supports many apps, and keyboard and mouse attraction are very nice in this.
  • We can sync our windows mobile with the Windows 10 operating system very easily.
  • It has a Cortana, which is a visual personal assistant that is very useful and helpful.
  • It has a new browser name as Microsoft edge.
  • It has a better snap assist.

Key Differences between Ubuntu and Windows 10

Both are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major differences.

  • Ubuntu was developed by Canonical, which belongs to a Linux family, while Microsoft develops Windows10.
  • Ubuntu is an open-source operating system, while Windows is a paid and licensed operating system.
  • It is a very reliable operating system in comparison to Windows 10.
  • Handling of Ubuntu is not easy; you need to learn lots of commands, while in Windows 10, handling and learning part is very easy.
  • It is purely an operating system for programming purposes, while Windows can also be used for other things.
  • MS Office doesn’t work properly in Ubuntu, while in Windows10 it will work excellent.
  • Adobe and photoshoot will also not work much properly in Ubuntu, while Windows 10 supports it very well.
  • Ubuntu kernel type is Monolithic while Windows 10 Kernel type is Hybrid.
  • Ubuntu is much secure in comparison to Windows 10.
  • Ubuntu userland is GNU while Windows10 userland is Windows Nt, Net.
  • In Ubuntu, Browsing is faster than Windows 10.
  • Updates are very easy in Ubuntu while in Windows 10 for the update every time you have to install the Java.
  • Ubuntu is the first choice of all Developers and tester because of their several features, while they don’t prefer windows.
  • In Ubuntu, your data privacy is much high compared to Windows 10 because any co-corporation does not own it.
  • Ubuntu doesn’t have any visual assistant, while Windows has Cortana.
  • Ubuntu has a Centralized Application installation, while in Windows 10, this kind of feature is not present.
  • Ubuntu we can run without installing by using in a pen drive, but with Windows 10, this we can’t do.
  • Ubuntu system boots are faster than Windows10.
  • For a Gaming point of view, Windows10 is the best choice for Gamers.

Both operating systems have their unique pros and Cons. Generally, developers and Tester prefer Ubuntu because it’s very robust, secure and fast for programming, while normal users who want to play games and they have work with MS office and Photoshop they will prefer Windows 10. Overall we can say both Ubuntu vs Windows 10 operating systems are well built and full filling the customer needs.

 

Google reveals years-long ‘indiscriminate’ iPhone hack

Most of the vulnerabilities targeted were found in the iPhone’s default Safari web browser

Google security experts uncovered an “indiscriminate” hacking operation that targeted iPhones over a period of at least two years and used websites to implant malicious software to access photos, users’ locations and other data.

In a post on the blog of Google’s Project Zero security taskforce, cyber experts did not name the hacked websites hosting the attacks, but estimated they received thousands of visitors a week.

“Simply visiting the hacked site was enough for the exploit server to attack your device, and if it was successful, install a monitoring implant,” said Project Zero’s Ian Beer.

Once installed, the malicious software “primarily focused on stealing files and uploading live location data,” Mr Beer said, adding it had been able to access encrypted messenger apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and iMessage.

Google hangouts and Gmail had also been affected, he added in the post, which provided a detailed breakdown of how the malicious software targeted and exploited iPhone vulnerabilities.

Most of the vulnerabilities targetted were found in the iPhone’s default Safari web browser, Mr Beer said, adding that the Project Zero team had discovered them in almost every operating system from iOS 10 through to the current iOS 12 version.

Once embedded in a user’s iPhone, the malicious software sent back stolen data, including live user location data back to a “command and control server” every 60 seconds.

Mr Beer said Google had informed Apple of the attacks in February, and Apple subsequently released a security patch.

Earlier this month, Apple said it will pay a reward of $1 million to any hacker who can remotely gain full control of an iPhone without the knowledge of its owner.

The company is expanding its “bug bounty” programme – launched in 2016 and which earmarked as much as $200,000 in reward money for uncovering security issues. Starting next month, anyone can participate in the programme that was previously by Apple invite only.

Long the finacial driver of Apple, iPhone revenue was down 12 per cent from last year to $26 billion in the third quarter.

The tech giant sent out invitations on Thursday to a September event at its Silicon Valley campus where it is expected to unveil a new-generation iPhone.

Next Whatsapp Update Could Change Cross-Platform Behavior

WhatsApp is planning to roll out a major new update that will finally make it possible to use across multiple phones and devices, according to a new leak.

The latest version of the popular messaging app will transform WhatsApp into a truly multi-platform experience that will allow users to switch seamlessly between their iPad, smarphone and desktop computer when sending and receiving messages.

Until now, WhatsApp accounts have been linked to a single phone number, meaning it was only possible to have one standalone app on a single device. This meant using WhatsApp on computers would require users to link it to the original device’s account.

The new upgrade will mean WhatsApp will work in a similar way to other apps like Facebook, where users can use the same login details across devices, download standalone versions of the app on any and all of their devices and have messages sync between them all.

The latest WhatsApp rumour comes courtesy of WaBetaInfo, who claim the new capabilities are currently under development.

The news site explained how the new system would sync all of the apps across various devices so that the latest messages appear on every version of the app, while security is also expected to be taken into consideration.

“With the new system, WhatsApp is also improving their end-to-end encryption, because probably something needs to be changed, [as] the messages must be sent to more devices,”

“Note that this is also the reason why WhatsApp for iPad was not released yet, even though it’s ready.”

The exact release date of the latest update for WhatsApp is not yet known, though it is expected to arrive in the coming months.

Other upcoming features for WhatsApp include pinned alerts for issues, as well as the removal of a shortcut that allows users to save and export the profile picture of their contacts.

WhatsApp does not comment on unreleased features of the app but both of these upgrades are pegged to arrive with the next official version of the app, called 2.19.80.

Next year, WhatsApp is also anticipated to merge its messaging services with other Facebook-owned apps, including Instagram and Messenger.

Facebook confirmed the merger in January, claiming it will offer “the best messaging experiences” for its billions of users around the world.

THE INDEPENDENT